Is there anything better than a warm scone slathered with jam and cream, a crustless cucumber sandwich or a perfect, bite-sized eclair at one of the best high teas in Brisbane/Meanjin? Combine that with a fancy cup of mint tea or a cheeky glass of champagne, and you’ve found yourself the perfect afternoon—or at least we here at Urban List sure think so.
No matter if you’re celebrating a special occasion, catching up over tiny sandwiches or having a mother-daughter date, we've got some pretty spectacular places to slip into civilised society—here's where to find the best high tea Brisbane has to offer.
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Bacchus
9 Glenelg Street, South Bank
Image credit: Bacchus | Supplied
Famed for its high tea, Bacchus loves any excuse for a seasonal update of their sweet and savoury selection, and this month they’ve unveiled a limited edition black and white menu inspired by Sister Act, which has just hit the stage at QPAC. Don your habits (or don’t) for a tiered tray stacked with tiramisu tart, original and black sesame scones, squid ink salami tart, fish sliders on charcoal buns and classic chicken sandwiches, all paired with bottomless tea and barista coffee for $69pp, or you can upgrade to two hours of bubbles.
W Brisbane
81 N Quay, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: W Brisbane | Supplied
Forever getting creative with their high tea options, W Brisbane has gone and done it again, with a Golden Glow High Tea for summer that comes complete with a create-your-own passionfruit parfait. Arranged on a W-shaped tiered tower you'll also find pecorino and pepper scones, pulled chicken pinwheels, vanilla and cherry madelines and guava profiteroles. Better yet, you can pair it with a Golden Glow Martini for $99pp—or just stick to endless tea and coffee for $79pp. It's available Friday to Sunday from 3 January until 16 March so book yourself in now.
Belle Epoque
267 Grey Street, South Brisbane
Image credit: Emporium Hotel | Supplied
Belle Epoque gives the closest experience to a Parisian café that you will find stepping off the streets of Brisbane. Their high tea is an absolute crowd-pleaser, with vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and gluten-free menus available from $80pp up to $130pp with two hours of bottomless champagne. We’d go for the prosciutto, blue cheese and pickled walnut tart first, which you can chase with their mango and passionfruit tart with whipped yoghurt panna cotta and freshly baked scones. C’est magnifique!
Naldham House
33 Felix Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Naldham House | Supplied
We couldn’t think of a more perfect setting for high tea than the stunning, heritage-listed surrounds of Naldham House and clearly they agree, because they’re now doing it every Saturday from 2.30pm-4.30pm. Seated in the cosy brasserie you can nibble on a tier of chicken and avocado sandwiches, smoked mortadella and adobo croquettes, chicken skin crisps, salted caramel eclairs and scones with jam and cream for $65pp. While you dine you can sip on a glass of bubbles, or even add on two hours of Taittinger for an additional $80pp.
Kazba
1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Kazba | Supplied
Much as we love a classic high tea, sometimes you just want to mix things up. Enter: Kazba's new Harem High Tea, a delightful excursion to the Middle East. Featuring Za Za Ta's famed haloumi doughnuts, sesame falafel, chicken pita tea sandwiches and smoked salmon latkes, plus desserts like pistachio baklava, rosewater Turkish delight, and dates stuffed with orange and almond, this is definitely the most exotic high tea in Brisbane. For $59pp it comes with bottomless BlakBrews Tea and coffee, or you can upgrade to 90 minutes of sparkling wine for $99pp.
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Lennons Restaurant & Bar
72 Queens Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Hyatt | Supplied
If you’re not a morning person and haven't been able to take advantage of a bougie high tea as a result, Lennons Restaurant And Bar has you covered with their afternoon tea on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-4.40pm. The high tea menu here is all about Aussie Icons, featuring Queensland-inspired treats like K'gari spanner crab with cucumber, Bowen mango Weiss cups, and a delightful Cherry Ripe cheesecake tartlet. You can even upgrade from the $65pp traditional high tea to include a glass of champagge for $85pp, which we highly recommend.
Bar 1603
27 Turbot Street, Brisbane CBD
Image Credit: Bar 1603 | Supplied
Want something a little different than your usual tiered tray of scones and macarons? Bar 1603 dishes up a high tea offering that is a sight to behold. The Zen Garden High Tea features Japanese bites like sashimi, pork gyoza, tamago sando, rice balls and karaage chicken all artfully arranged on a share plate. The real eye-catcher though, is the completely edible chocolate cherry blossom tree in one corner, which is perched over a selection of other treats like matcha mousse, mochi with ice cream and gold chocolate nuggets.
Customs House
399 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Customs House | Website
This Brisbane high tea definitely has the best views in town, overlooking the Story Bridge from Patina By Custom's House's breezy courtyard. Available Tuesday to Sunday, the tiered trays feature ribbon sandwiches, savoury canapes, raspberry scones, macarons and more. Alongside you can sip on French handcrafted teas, espresso coffees plus a glass of champagne for $90pp.
Goldfinch
Corner Ann And Roma Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Goldfinch | Supplied
We’ve always thought Goldfinch’s stunning interiors—with their greenhouse-like dining area complete with lush greenery and florals hanging from the ceiling—would make a dreamy high tea spot, and they’ve finally come to the party with a delightful offering. For $69pp, you can nibble your way through a three-tier tray of ribbon sandwiches, decadent mini cakes and of course, buttermilk scones with jam and cream, plus a glass of sparkling to wash it down. A premium tea selection is also included, or you can upgrade to two hours of bubbles for $30pp (why wouldn’t you?). The high tea is available every weekend from 12pm-2.30pm, and you get all the details here.
Supernova
89/91 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Supernova | Supplied
Japan meets Italy at this high tea, with Supernova teaming up with Woolloongabba's Cerin Pasticerria to create a fusion affair that features savoury Japanese sandos and wagyu beef korokke paired with Italian pastries and freshly baked scones. You can pair it all with bottomless tea and barista coffee for $58pp, or upgrade to sip on a glass of Taittinger Champagne for $85pp. It's available every weekend from 12.30pm-3pm, just make sure you book in advance.
The Balfour Kitchen
37 Balfour Street, New Farm
Image credit: Spicers Balfour | Facebook
Indulge in wondrous creations while sipping on a range of specialty teas and enjoying the view of the lush courtyard at Spicers Balfour in New Farm at this once-monthly weekend offering. On the menu you'll find classic high tea nibbles like macarons, lemon curd tarts, freshly baked scones and chicken and mustard brioche as well some inclusions worthy of such a fine dining spot, like pork terrine with pickled onion and spanner crab tarts with avocado mousse. Whether you dine in the stylish restaurant, on the wrap-around verandah of the old Queenslander, or under the blossoming frangipani trees in the courtyard, the choice is yours.
Dandelion & Driftwood
20 Doncaster Street, Hendra
Dandelion & Driftwood have always known how to put on a good high tea, so we’re stoked they’re back in Hendra with a new cafe where we can enjoy it. Using their renowned signature recipes, D & D’s delicate three-tiered high tea stands come filled with sweet and savoury delights, from fluffy scones with jam and cream to ribbon sandwiches and pretty cupcakes, starting from $65pp, and if you want something a little harder than tea, you can pair your feast with champagne or signature cocktail. Staying in? You can even order a complete high tea to take away seven days.
Room With Roses
117 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD
Tucked away upstairs in the historic Brisbane Arcade, Room With Roses is a Brisbane high tea heaven for traditionalists. Famed for their scones with jam and cream, not to mention their passionfruit sponge, it’s a beautiful spot to really relax and savour your surroundings. Their classic high tea will set you back $138 for two and comes with a glass of sparkling, plus a pot of tea. Personally though, we'd be going for the chocolate fondue high tea...
Looking for more 'treat yourself' inspiration? Head here:
Image credit: Belle Epoque | Supplied
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